Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the three main types of muscles found in a horse's body?
What are the three main types of muscles found in a horse's body?
Cardiac, Smooth, Skeletal
How much of a horse's body weight do muscles account for?
How much of a horse's body weight do muscles account for?
About half
What do flexor muscles do?
What do flexor muscles do?
Bend joints
What do extensor muscles do?
What do extensor muscles do?
What do tendons do?
What do tendons do?
When a tendon is damaged, what is compromised?
When a tendon is damaged, what is compromised?
What is tendonitis?
What is tendonitis?
What is tendosynovitis?
What is tendosynovitis?
What is a tendon rupture or bowed tendon?
What is a tendon rupture or bowed tendon?
What can describe the ideal horse's conformation?
What can describe the ideal horse's conformation?
What constitutes a proper athletic structure in a horse?
What constitutes a proper athletic structure in a horse?
What are conformation flaws of the head?
What are conformation flaws of the head?
What characteristics should the head and neck display?
What characteristics should the head and neck display?
What characteristics should the neck have?
What characteristics should the neck have?
How many teeth do horses have when born?
How many teeth do horses have when born?
When do permanent teeth push through?
When do permanent teeth push through?
When does a horse have a 'full mouth'?
When does a horse have a 'full mouth'?
Match the teeth to their age of eruption:
Match the teeth to their age of eruption:
Match the molars to their age of eruption:
Match the molars to their age of eruption:
What does the horse's mouth contain?
What does the horse's mouth contain?
What are the withers formed by?
What are the withers formed by?
What issues can a horse's withers cause?
What issues can a horse's withers cause?
What characterizes proper back conformation?
What characterizes proper back conformation?
What are conformation flaws of the chest?
What are conformation flaws of the chest?
What characterizes proper shoulder conformation?
What characterizes proper shoulder conformation?
What percentage of a horse's body weight is on their front legs at rest?
What percentage of a horse's body weight is on their front legs at rest?
What is proper front leg conformation?
What is proper front leg conformation?
What are conformation flaws to avoid in front legs?
What are conformation flaws to avoid in front legs?
What is proper hind leg conformation?
What is proper hind leg conformation?
What are the four sections of the hoof?
What are the four sections of the hoof?
What are the outer structures of the horse's hoof?
What are the outer structures of the horse's hoof?
What is proper hoof conformation?
What is proper hoof conformation?
Flashcards
Flexor muscles
Flexor muscles
Muscles that bend joints, like flexing the knee.
Extensor muscles
Extensor muscles
Muscles that extend joints, like straightening a leg.
Tendons
Tendons
Tough, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis
Signup and view all the flashcards
Tendosynovitis
Tendosynovitis
Signup and view all the flashcards
Tendon rupture/bowed tendon
Tendon rupture/bowed tendon
Signup and view all the flashcards
Ideal horse conformation
Ideal horse conformation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Athletic structure and balance
Athletic structure and balance
Signup and view all the flashcards
Ideal head of a horse
Ideal head of a horse
Signup and view all the flashcards
Throat latch
Throat latch
Signup and view all the flashcards
Dental development
Dental development
Signup and view all the flashcards
Withers
Withers
Signup and view all the flashcards
Back conformation
Back conformation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pigeon-breasted
Pigeon-breasted
Signup and view all the flashcards
Shoulder angle
Shoulder angle
Signup and view all the flashcards
Forward-reaching stride
Forward-reaching stride
Signup and view all the flashcards
Front leg conformation
Front leg conformation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Bench knees
Bench knees
Signup and view all the flashcards
Calf knees
Calf knees
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pigeon-toed
Pigeon-toed
Signup and view all the flashcards
Hind cannon bones
Hind cannon bones
Signup and view all the flashcards
Straight hind legs
Straight hind legs
Signup and view all the flashcards
Hoof
Hoof
Signup and view all the flashcards
Coronary band
Coronary band
Signup and view all the flashcards
Hoof wall
Hoof wall
Signup and view all the flashcards
Sole of the hoof
Sole of the hoof
Signup and view all the flashcards
Frog of the hoof
Frog of the hoof
Signup and view all the flashcards
White line
White line
Signup and view all the flashcards
Ideal hoof conformation
Ideal hoof conformation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Muscle Types in Horses
- Three main types of muscles: Cardiac (heart), Smooth (digestive system), Skeletal (movement).
- Muscles make up about half of a horse's body weight.
Function of Muscles
- Flexor muscles: Bend joints.
- Extensor muscles: Strengthen joints.
Tendons and Their Importance
- Tendons connect muscles to bones and are more elastic than ligaments.
- Elasticity is compromised when a tendon is damaged.
Tendon Conditions
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendon and paratendon, excludes the tendon sheath.
- Tendosynovitis: Inflammation within the tendon sheath.
- Tendon rupture/bowed tendon: Severe stress response causing hemorrhage and swelling.
Ideal Horse Conformation
- Three equal sections: Shoulders, barrel, and hindquarters.
- Horse's body should be square, equidistant, even, and symmetrical.
Athletic Structure and Balance
- Athletic performance is influenced by balance, agility, and movement.
Head and Neck Characteristics
- Ideal head: Proportionate, broad forehead, well-set symmetrical ears.
- Neck should have a defined throat latch, be flexible, and proportionate length to give balance.
Dental Development
- Foals are born without teeth, develop baby teeth between 0-9 months.
- Permanent teeth erupt around 2.5 years and a horse has a "full mouth" by 5 years.
Conformation of Withers
- Withers formed by thoracic vertebrae should be broad and slightly higher than the croup.
- High withers can lead to balance issues, while low withers can cause saddling problems.
Back and Chest Conformation
- Ideal back: Well-muscled, blending into a wide loin.
- Flaws in the chest: Pigeon-breasted horses have coordination issues; narrow or shallow chests can affect lung function.
Shoulder Alignment
- Proper shoulder angle (90-105 degrees) allows for optimum balance and performance.
- A horizontal shoulder promotes a forward-reaching stride.
Limb Conformation
- 55% of body weight is on front legs at rest.
- Proper front leg alignment: Vertically aligned with the shoulder, straight with flat knees, and moderate pastern angles.
Flaws in Front Legs
- Various conditions like bench knees, calf knees, and pigeon-toed can predispose horses to different joint disorders.
Hind Leg Structure
- Hind cannon bones are slightly longer than front bones.
- Straight hind legs indicate better strength and power.
Hoof Composition
- Four sections: Toe, quarter, heel, and heel bulbs.
- Proper hoof structure includes strong walls and a well-developed frog for circulation.
Outer Structures of Hoof
- Coronary band: Tissue from which hoof grows.
- The wall, sole, bars, white line, and frog all contribute to hoof health and function.
Hoof Conformation Criteria
- A large, strong hoof with wide heels, prominent bars, and healthy sole texture is crucial for mobility and strength.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Prepare for the IEA Horsemanship Test with these flashcards focusing on equine muscle types and functions. This set covers key concepts such as types of muscles, their weight contribution, and specific muscle functions. Perfect for horse enthusiasts and competitors alike!